Toy vehicle track connector apparatus and kit

ABSTRACT

The toy vehicle track connector apparatus (or track connector) is a one piece construction that provides a support structure for a toy racetrack while increasing the degrees of freedom (DoF) of said track. The track connector may be used to create and support a variety of different racetrack structures or race car scenarios. Multiple track connectors may be used in a system to create an entire toy race car track. The track connector is a fully modular component of the toy racetrack system; track connectors may be swapped or replaced in a system without affecting the rest of the system. The track connector may be in the form of a substantially rectangular block, preferably a cube, forming six substantially planar faces or sides, and further comprising a connector protrusion, a connector aperture, a channel portion, a groove, a raised aperture portion, and a recessed line.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of toys; in particular, a toy vehicle track connector apparatus and kit.

BACKGROUND

Toy vehicle track sets have enjoyed great popularity among children for many years. Responding to this popularity, toy vehicle track set manufacturers have endeavored to provide a substantial variety of such track sets. Accordingly, practitioners in the toy arts have provided toy vehicle track sets which utilize multiply turned and looped toy vehicle trackways, with the objective of creating a toy vehicle track with a substantial number of turns, loops and changes in elevation to enhance children's enjoyment during play. One of the most critical elements in the fabrication of such toy vehicle trackways is the creation of support structures for the trackways which provide a maximum of stability and strength without dramatically increasing weight and cost.

Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems with toy vehicle track sets. Applicant has developed a solution that is embodied by the present invention, which is described in detail below.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides for a toy vehicle track connector apparatus comprising a three-dimensional body member having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a fifth side, and a sixth side; a connector protrusion extending from a surface of the first side; a connector aperture disposed on a surface of the second side; and, a channel portion being disposed on the third side, the channel portion being configured to mateably interface with a toy vehicle track.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a toy vehicle track kit comprising a three-dimensional body member having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a fifth side, and a sixth side, and having a connector protrusion extending from a surface of the first side, a connector aperture disposed on a surface of the second side, a channel portion being disposed on the third side; and, a leg segment having a connector portion and an attachment portion, the connector portion being configured to mateably interface with the connector aperture on the three-dimensional body member.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a toy vehicle track system comprising a connector member having a connector protrusion, a connector aperture, and a track channel; a plurality of leg segments being selectively coupled to each other, each leg segment in the plurality of leg segments having a connector portion and an attachment portion, the connector portion being configured to be removably coupled to the connector aperture of the connector member; and, a track member having a channel portion, the channel portion of the track member being removably coupled to the track channel of the connector member.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a right plan view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a left plan view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a bottom up view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top down view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a functional diagram of a plurality of track leg segments with a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a functional diagram of a plurality of track leg segments operably engaged with a toy vehicle track connector apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a toy vehicle track kit, in an assembled configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a track connector, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is also used herein. Furthermore, when it is said herein that something is “based on” something else, it may be based on one or more other things as well. In other words, unless expressly indicated otherwise, as used herein “based on” means “based at least in part on” or “based at least partially on.” Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”, and variants thereof, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled,” “connected,” or “responsive” to another element, it can be directly coupled, connected, or responsive to the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled,” “directly connected,” or “directly responsive” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “top, “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present embodiments. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly-used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus (or track connector) 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. The toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 is a one piece construction that provides a support structure for a toy racetrack while increasing the degrees of freedom (DoF) of said track. The track connector 100 may be used to create and support a variety of different racetrack structures or race car scenarios. For example, one track connector 100 may be used for creating a ramp, while another may be used to create a loop or a turn. Multiple track connectors 100 may be used in a system to create an entire toy race car track. The track connector 100 is a fully modular component of the toy race car track system; track connectors 100 may be swapped or replaced in a system without affecting the rest of the system.

The toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 may be manufactured using 3D printing technology, injection molding, casting, conventional machining, computerized machining, or other manufacturing processes. The track connector 100 may be in the form of plastic, ceramic, metal, glass, wood, a composite, or other materials; however, the track connector 100 is preferably created using plastic.

In one embodiment, the toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 may be in the form of a substantially rectangular block, preferably a cube, forming six substantially planar faces or sides 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60. The toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 further comprises a connector protrusion 102, a connector aperture 104, a channel portion 106, a groove 108, a raised aperture portion 110, and a recessed line 112. The connector protrusion 102 may be shaped as a convex ball, sphere, or semi-sphere and is centrally located on a first planar face 10. Similarly, connector aperture 104 may be shaped as a concave socket, sphere, or semi-sphere and is centrally located on planar faces 20, 40, 50 and 60. Planar face 30 extends outwardly over sides 40 and 60 to create groove 108. Planar face 30 and groove 108 enable the track hooks 1006 of toy track segments 1000 to be slidably received and coupled to the track connector 100 (see FIG. 10). The channel portion 106 is centrally located on planar face 30 and extends linearly from side 10 to side 50 to form a V-shaped passage. The V-shaped passage allows for deformation in the toy track 1000 while toy cars pass over. In alternative embodiments, the channel portion 106 may be U-shaped or may be flat.

As described above, in a preferred embodiment, the track connector 100 includes four connector apertures 104, a connector protrusion 102, and a channel portion 106 located on respective planar sides. However, in alternative embodiments, the toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 may include any combination of the above-mentioned features. For example, an alternative embodiment may include two connector apertures 104, two connector protrusions 102, and two channel portions 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a front plan view and a rear plan view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 is shown. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the track connector 100 is structurally symmetrical about a plane that extends from the center of side 10 to the center of side 50. However, track connector 100 is not symmetrical about a plane that is normal to the plane of symmetry described above: that is, a plane that extends from the center of planar face 40 to the center of planar face 60. This is because planar face 10 includes connector portion 102 and planar face 50 includes a connector aperture 104. In a preferred embodiment, planar face 40 and planar face 60 may be structurally identical, while the other planar faces (10, 20, 30, and 50) are structurally unique.

Planar face 10 further comprises a connector protrusion. The connector protrusion 102 is sized and dimensioned to be connected or disconnected from either the connector aperture 104 of another track connector 100 or from the attachment portion 804 of leg segment 800 (see FIG. 8). In other words, the connector protrusion 102 is shaped as a convex ball or semi-sphere which is able to be connected to the concave socket shape of the connector aperture 104 to form a ball joint relationship between two track connectors 100, or between a track connector 100 and a leg segment 800. The ball joint relationship between the connector protrusion 102 and the connector aperture 104 allows the toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 to be rotated freely along all three axes of rotation. This rotation allows for a toy racetrack to be fabricated having a variety of shapes and features that would not normally be possible. Additionally, the ball joint relationship between the connector protrusion 102 and the connector aperture 104 of another track connector 100 includes a slight friction, or interference, fit. This allows the track connector 100 to maintain a specific shape given by the user in the racetrack system. The interference fit between the connector protrusion 102 and the connector aperture 104 is strong enough to prevent the track connector 100 from losing the shape or angle given by the user due to gravity, the weight of the track, or the forces of the toy cars moving along the track.

In a preferred embodiment, connector protrusion 102 is shaped as a semi-sphere or concave ball and may matably interface with the connector aperture 104 of another track connector 100 or with the attachment portion 804 of a leg segment 800. Alternatively, the track connector 100 may matably interface with another track connector 100 or leg segment 800 via any means that provides an attachment and detachment relationship between the components. For example, a track connector 100 may have a connector protrusion 102 that is shaped as a cube.

Planar face 20 may include a slight curvature, whereas the other planar faces that include an aperture portion 104 may be substantially flat. Furthermore, the raised aperture portion 110 of planar face 20 may also include the slight curvature. The slight curvature extends from planar face 40 to planar face 60.

Planar face 30 provides means for the toy racetrack to be slidably attached or detached. A section of the toy racetrack may be connected to track connector 100 by sliding the bottom portion of the track onto the surface of planar face 30; the groove 108 then engages the bottom hook portion of the toy track and creates an interference or friction fit with the toy track. The substantially flat surface of planar face 30 provides structural support for the toy race track, and the v-shaped channel portion 106 allows for slight deformation in the toy track while the cars are passing over. Additionally, the channel portion 106 decreases the amount of surface contact between planar face 30 and the bottom of the toy race track thereby decreasing the amount of friction between the two surfaces. This allows for the toy race track to be slidably connected or disconnected from planar face 30 by the user with ease while still providing enough friction to prevent the track from sliding due to gravity, the weight of the track, or forces of the toy cars on the track.

Planar face 50 is located opposite to planar face 10 and comprises a connector aperture 104 and a raised aperture portion 110. The raised aperture portion 110 extends outwardly from the surface of planar face 50. Connector aperture 104 is configured to mateably interface with either the connector protrusion 102 of another track connector 100 or the connector portion 802 of leg segment 800 (see FIG. 8).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a right plan view and a left plan view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 are shown. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict planar faces 40 and 60 of track connector 100. Planar faces 40 and 60 further comprise connector aperture 104, raised aperture portion 110, and recessed line 112. Raised aperture portion 110 extends outwardly from planar faces 40 and 60 and may be shaped as a hollow cylinder with a thickness and a height. Recessed lines 112 may be parallel to each other and tangent to the outer diameter of raised aperture portion 110 on both planar faces 40 and 60. Additionally, recessed lines 112 may be two separate and continuous lines. For example, a single recessed line 112 may start on planar face 40, continue around a corner to planar face 20, and continue still around another corner to planar face 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a bottom up view and a top down view of a toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 are shown. FIG. 6 depicts planar face 20 of track connector 100. Planar face 20 further comprises connector aperture 104, raised aperture portion 110, and recessed lines 112. FIG. 7 depicts planar face 30, which further comprises channel portion 106. Channel portion 106 may be one continuous v-shaped passage along the surface of planar face 30. Channel portion 106 extends from planar face 10 to planar face 50 and may be centrally located on the surface of planar face 30.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a functional diagram of a plurality of track leg segments 800 with a toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 is shown. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 may be configured to matably interface or connectably couple with leg segments 800. The leg segments 800 further comprise a connector portion 802 and an attachment portion 804. The connector portion 802 of leg segment 800 may be in the shape of a convex sphere, semi-sphere, or ball, whereas the attachment portion 804 may be in the shape of a concave sphere, semi-sphere, or ball. The attachment portion 804 of one leg segment 800 may matably interface with the connector portion 802 of another leg segment 800 or with the connector protrusion 102 of track connector 100. The leg segments may form a ball joint relationship with one another or with the track connector 100. The ball joint relationship allows for rotation about all three axes and utilizes a slight interference or friction fit. The ball joint relationship allows the user to manipulate the toy track to have whatever shape or structure they desire. Furthermore, the friction fit between two leg segments 800, two track connectors 100, or a leg segment 800 and a track connector 100 provides sufficient structural integrity, due to the interference fit between each component, to maintain the shape given by the user without succumbing to gravity, the weight of the track, or the forces of the toy cars on the track. Alternatively, leg segment 800 may be any component that matably interfaces with track connector 100 and provides structural support for the overall system.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a functional diagram of a plurality of track leg segments 800 operably engaged with toy vehicle track connector apparatus 100 is shown. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, track connectors 100 and leg segments 800 may be configured to create a skeletal frame or structure for a toy racetrack to be attached thereto. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the track connectors 100 are combined with the leg segments 800 to create a three-legged stand that is capable of supporting a toy racetrack. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 depicts only one possible structure that could be created by combining track connector 100 with leg segments 800. The track connector 100 and leg segments 800 are fully modular components of the overall racetrack assembly system. For example, both the leg segments 800 and the track connector 100 may be utilized in any combination to create whatever shape or structure the user needs for fabricating a toy racetrack.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a toy car track kit 1000, in an assembled configuration, is shown. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, toy car track kit 1000 comprises toy car track 1002, track connectors 100, and leg segments 800. The toy car track 1002 may include a track bottom 1004 and track hooks 1006. The track bottom 1004 and track hooks 1006 may slidably interface with the planar face 30 and groove 108 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to couple the toy car track 1000 to the track connector 100. Multiple toy car track segments 1002 may be coupled to one another and to multiple track connectors 100 to create a complete toy car racetrack. The user may alter the shape of the racetrack by adding or taking away track connectors 100 or leg segments 800. Additionally, the shape and configuration of the toy car track kit 1000 may be altered or changed by utilizing the ball and joint relationship between the leg segments 800 and the track connectors 100.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a perspective view of track connector 1100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. The track connector 1100 is a one piece construction that provides a support structure for a toy racetrack while increasing the degrees of freedom (DoF) of said track. The track connector 1100 may be used to create and support a variety of different racetrack structures or race car scenarios. For example, one track connector 1100 may be used for creating a ramp, while another may be used to create a loop or a turn. Multiple track connectors 1100 may be used in a system to create an entire toy race car track. The track connector 1100 is a fully modular component of the toy race car track system; track connectors 1100 may be swapped or replaced in a system without affecting the rest of the system.

The toy vehicle track connector apparatus 1100 may be manufactured using 3D printing technology, injection molding, casting, conventional machining, computerized machining, or other manufacturing processes. The track connector 1100 may be in the form of plastic, ceramic, metal, glass, wood, a composite, or other materials; however, the track connector 1100 is preferably created using plastic.

The track connector 1100 may be in the form of a substantially rectangular block, preferably a cube, forming six substantially planar faces or sides 1110, 1120, 1130, 1140, 1150 and 1160. The track connector 1100 further comprises a connector protrusion 1102, a connector aperture 1104, a raised aperture portion 1106, a groove 1108, a curvature 1112, a body portion 1114, and a gap 1116. The connector protrusion 1102 may be shaped as a convex ball, sphere, or semi-sphere and is centrally located on a first planar face 1110. Similarly, connector aperture 1104 may be shaped as a concave socket, sphere, or semi-sphere and is centrally located on planar faces 1120, 1140, 1150 and 1160. Additionally, track connector 1100 may include a raised aperture portion 1106 located along the perimeter of connector apertures 1104. Planar face 1130 extends outwardly over sides 1140 and 1160 to create groove 1108. Planar face 1130 and groove 1108 enable the track hooks 1006 of toy track segments 1000 to be slidably received and coupled to the track connector 1100 (see FIG. 10). Curvature 1112 is a substantially U-shaped structure which forms the surfaces for the features of planar faces 1130, 1140, and 1160 to be disposed thereon. Alternatively, curvature 1112 may be shaped in any way that allows the features of planar faces 1130, 1140, and 1160 to be disposed thereon. For example, curvature 1112 may be V-shaped. Body portion 1114 is positioned within the curvature 1112 and may be shaped as an elliptical cylinder. Body portion 1114 forms the surface for planar faces 1110, 1120, and 1150. The gap 1116 may form a slight separation between the curvature 1112 and body portion 1114.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its exemplary forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the invention covers modifications and variations of this disclosure within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy vehicle track connector apparatus comprising: a three-dimensional body member having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a fifth side, and a sixth side; a connector protrusion extending from a surface of the first side; a connector aperture disposed on a surface of the second side; and, a channel portion being disposed on the third side, the channel portion being configured to mateably interface with a toy vehicle track.
 2. The toy vehicle track connector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second connector aperture disposed on a surface of the fourth side.
 3. The toy vehicle track connector apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a third connector aperture disposed on a surface of the fifth side.
 4. The toy vehicle track connector apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a fourth connector aperture disposed on a surface of the sixth side.
 5. The toy vehicle track connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connector protrusion is spherical in shape.
 6. The toy vehicle track connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connector aperture is concave in shape.
 7. A toy vehicle track kit comprising: a three-dimensional body member having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a fifth side, and a sixth side, and having a connector protrusion extending from a surface of the first side, a connector aperture disposed on a surface of the second side, a channel portion being disposed on the third side; and, a leg segment having a connector portion and an attachment portion, the connector portion being configured to mateably interface with the connector aperture on the three-dimensional body member.
 8. The toy vehicle track kit of claim 7 further comprising a toy vehicle track segment being configured to mateably interface with the channel portion of the three-dimensional body member.
 9. The toy vehicle track kit of claim 7 further comprising at least two three-dimensional body members, the connector protrusion of each three-dimensional body member being configured to mateably interface with the connector aperture of each three-dimensional body member.
 10. The toy vehicle track kit of claim 7 further comprising at least two leg segments being configured to mateably interface with each other.
 11. A toy vehicle track system comprising: a connector member having a connector protrusion, a connector aperture, and a track channel; a plurality of leg segments being selectively coupled to each other, each leg segment in the plurality of leg segments having a connector portion and an attachment portion, the connector portion being configured to be removably coupled to the connector aperture of the connector member; and, a track member having a channel portion, the channel portion of the track member being removably coupled to the track channel of the connector member.
 12. The toy vehicle track system of claim 11 wherein the connector member further comprises a second connector aperture.
 13. The toy vehicle track system of claim 12 wherein the connector member further comprises a third connector aperture.
 14. The toy vehicle track system of claim 13 wherein the connector member further comprises a fourth connector aperture.
 15. The toy vehicle track system of claim 11 wherein the connector protrusion is spherical in shape. 